Refrigerating apparatus



Patented July l1, 1939 nEFmGEnA'rING APPARATUS 'Roger W. Hastings,`Springfield, Mass., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & ManufacturingCompany, Eastlittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania lApplication October 30, 1936, Serial No. 108,344

9 Claims.

My invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and particularly tomechanical refrigerators having a plurality of heat absorbing elements.

It is an object of my invention to provide a mechanical refrigeratorembodying means to absorb heat from the air in the lfood storagecompartment and means to congeal Vliquids in a separate compartmentwithout materially affecting the temperature of the air in the foodstorage y 10 compartment. f

"It is another object of my invention to provide a mechanicalrefrigerator in which the ice freezing compartment, the heat absorbingmeans and the air circulatingmeans may be removed fr om 1 5 or insertedinto the food storage compartment as a unit. I

It is a further object of my invention to provide a mechanicalrefrigerator in vwhich the refrigerant circulating means and the heatabsorbing means are removable from or replaceable in the cabinet as aunit without breaking the refrigerant connections therebetween. A

'I'hese and other objects are.1 effected byY my invention as will beapparent from the following description and claims, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, inwhich:

The single figure is a diagrammatic sectional View of a refrigeratorembodying my invention.

Referring tothe drawing for a detailed descrip-v tionof my invention,numeral I0 designates, generally, a refrigerator cabinet embodying afood storage compartment II and an apparatus compartment I2. The foodstorage compartment' |I is provided with an access opening I3 which issealed by a closure member I4. A'second opening I6, which is closed by aremovable heatinsulated wall portion I'I, is provided in the foodstorage compartment |I in the wall opposite the access opening I3. l 3

A refrigerating system associated with the refrigerator cabinet includesa first heat absorbing element 2| for absorbing heat from the ambientair in the food storage compartment II and av .4'5 second heat absorbingelement 22 for absorbing heat from a heat insulated ice freezingcompartment |8 disposed in the lower portion of the food storagecompartment The heat absorbing elements 2| and 22 are of the evaporativetype. A compressor 23 withdraws refrigerant vapor from the heatabsorbingelements 2| and 22 'and circulates it to a condenser 26, cooledby a fan v2'I, wherein it is condensed. An expansion device showndiagrammatically at- 28 distributes the condensed refrigerant to theheat absorbing `ele- (Cl. (i2-416) ments 2| and 22. The compressor 23,its 'driving motor 24,' the condenser 26,-the condenser fan 21 3 vandthe expansion device 28 are assembled on a base 29 disposed in theapparatus compartment I2. The base 29.with the apparatus assembledl 5thereon is removable from or insertable in the apparatus compartment|2as a unit thereby facilitating the service and repair of theapparatus. The ice freezing compartment I8 is formed of a 'rectangularouter metal shell 3| anda similarly 10 shaped smaller inner metal shell33. The inner metal shell 33 is telescoped within the outer metal shell3| and is positioned therein so as to provide a spacev between the twoshells. A heat insulating material 38 is provided in the space between15 the shells 3| and 33 in order to. reduce the'heat transfertherebetween. A flared portion 31 of the inner shell 33 engages the wallof the outer shell* 3| near its open end and is secured thereto,preferably by welding, in order to .provide a moisture- 20- proof jointbetween the shells. The second heat absorbing element 22, which isformed of a continous copper tube of substantial length, is providedwith an inlet 38 and an outletl 39 and is shaped to conform'to theinner'periphery of the 25 inner shell 33 to provide a freezing chamber4| ,within the ice freezing compartment IIl.A The heat absorbing element22 is held in intimate contact'with the inner shell 33 by a rectangularshell 42. A tray 41 containing liquids to be con- 30 gealed is disposedin intimate thermal contact with the shell 42 and the heat absorbingelemnt- 22. A door 4.8 is movably secured to the outer shell 3| 'andprovides aclosure for the open end of the ice freezing compartment I8 sothat it is 35 'accessible through the access opening'I3. The

construction of the ice freezing compartment I8 makes it possible tocongeal liquids in the tray 4'I at arapid rate without materiallyaffecting the temperature of the ambient air 'in the food 40 storagecompartment The rst heat absorbing element 2| is positionedin' the foodstorage compartment I| be.'- tween the ice freezing compartment I3 andthe wall portion il. The heat absorbing element 2| 45 comprises a metalcage member 49 formed. of a pluralityof 4radially extending fins 5`Iwith a cylindrical opening 52'.through the center. vA continuous coppertube '5.3, having `an'inlet 54 y which is connected to thev outlet-39 ofthe second 50 heat absorbing element 22 and an outletal55, passesthrough the ilns II, as shown In the drawing. A fan 51 is disposedwithin the cylindrical opening 52 in alignment withthe heat absorbingelements :AI anni, 'and wan the freezing chamlili ber I8. 'I'he fan I1is driven by a motor I8 which is supported .by the wall 'portion I1outside the food storage compartment II. 'I'he fan 51 forces the air inthe food storage compartmentv II over the heat absorbing element 2l andthen toward the upper portion of the food storage compart- A temperatureresponsive device 58 is disposed Y within the food storage compartmentII and is used to control the operation of the motor 58' in vresponse tothe temperature of the air in the food storage compartment II.Corresponding electrical connections 65 and 88 on the temperatureresponsive device 59 and on the fan motor 58 are connected together (notshown). 'I'he operation of the motor 58 is independent of that of themotor 28 and is effected when the temperature of the air in the foodstorage compartment II reaches a predetermined upper limit. Operation ofthe motor 58 will be discontinued when the temperature of the air hasreached a predetermined lower limit corresponding to the cutout settingof the temperature of the temperature responsive device 59.

In accordance with my invention, the heat absorbing elements 2| and 22,the heat insulated ice freezing compartment I8 and the fan 51 aredisposed in the food storage compartment II in alignment with the secondopening I 8. 'I'he heat' absorbing element 2| and the ice freezingcompartment -I8 with the heat absorbing element 22 as a part thereof aresupported by a bracket I9 which is rigidly secured to the wall portionI1. Thus the ice freezing compartment I8 with the heat absorbing element212 associated therewith, the heat absorbing element 2|, the fan 51 andthe fan motor 58 assembled as a unit with the wall 'portion I1 may beeasily removed from. or in- 'I'he compressed vapor refrigerant iscondensed in the condenser 26 and is distributed by the expansion device28 to the heat absorbing element 2l and 22 through a conduit 82 whichconnects the expansion device 28 with the inlet 88 of the. heatabsorbing element 22. The compressed refrigerant vapor is conveyed fromthe compressor 23 to the condenser 28 through a conduit 88. A`

conduit 68 conveys the liquid refrigarnt from thecondenser 28 totheexpansion device 28. The liquid refrigerant entering the heat absorbingelement 22 absorbs heat from the ice freezing compartment I 8, andcongeals the liquid in the tray 41 without materially affecting thetemperature of the ambient ir` in the food storage compartment II. Fromthe heat absorbing element 22 a-nilixture of liquid refrigerant andrefrigerant. vapor passes in series to the heat absorbing element 2| toabsorb heat from the air which is driven over the heat absorbing element2I by the action of the fan 51 when refrigeration is |required in thefood storage compartment Il. The

vaporized refrigerant then returns to the compressor 23 .through theconduit 8| completing the cycle. When the temperature of the foodstorage compartment II has'reached the lower limit for which thetemperature responsive device 59 a,1os,4ao

fan'u wm no longer arcuate air in un roodstorage compartment II over theheat absorbing f element 2I and the'cooling fins 8l with the result thatthe refrigerant passing through the heat absorbing element 2| will havelittle or no effect on the temperature of the food storage compartment II..- L

The conduits 8Iand 82, both of which passA out of the apparatuscompartment I2 and upwardly along the outside of the refrigerator cab'iiet III into the food storage compartment II through Vthe wall portionI1 toconnect with the outlet 85 of the heat absorbing element 2l -andtheinlet 88 of the heat absorbing .element 22re spectively, arepreferably flexible and afford the removal from or replacement in therefrigerator cabinet ofthe plug I1 together with the elements associatedtherewith without breaking any of the physical connections between therespective elements or between the elements supported by the wallportion I1 and those elements disposed in the apparatus compartment. Itis also possible to remove the base 28 with the apparatus assembledthereon from the apparatus compartment I2 at the same time thatthe wallportion I1 and its associated apparatus is removed fecting thetemperature of the air in the food storage compartment. It is alsoapparent that the apparatus disposed in the apparatus comparti ment andthat disposed in the food storage compartment may be removed from orreplaced in the respective compartments without breaking any of thephysical connections necessary for the operation of the apparatus.

. While I have shown my invention-in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible ofvariouschanges and .modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations )shall beplaced thereupon as are imposed by the priorartorasarespecicallysetforthintheappended claims. What I claim is: 1.In' refrigeration apparatus, the combination Vof a refrigerator cabinethaving an opening insa l wall thereof,a removable heat insulatedcompartment disposed in said cabinet, a Arst heat absorbing element forabstractingheat for closure member for said opening, an ice freezing thepreservation of food, a second heat absorbing element for abstractingheat from said ice freezing compartment to congeal' liquids therein anda fan for circulating the air in saidcabinet over said first heatabsorbing element, said second heat absorbing element being supported bysaid ice freezing compartment, and said first heat absorbing element,said ice freeaingzompartment and said fan being removable from andinsertable 'A into the -refrigerator cabinet as a unitary structure withsaid closure member.

2. In refrigeration-' apparatus. the combination of a' refrigeratorcabinet embodying a. food stor- `-age compartment and an ice freezingcompartment, a first heat absorbing element for abis set, the motor 58will be deenergizedand the stracting'heat from the food storage compartument, a second heat absorbing element for abstracting heat from said icefreezing compartment, a fan for circulating air over said rst heatabsorbing element in the food storagecompartment, said food storagecompartment having an opening therein, a removable heat-insulatedclosure for said opening, and a -refrigerant condensing unit exterior ofsaid food storage compartment and connected with said heat'absorbingelements by refrigerant conveying tubes extending through said opening,said heat absorbing elements and said fan` being insertable into andremovable from said cabinet as a unit through said opening.

3. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator cabinetembodying a food storage compartment an ice freezing compartment and anapparatus compartment, a rst heat absorbing element for abstracting heatfrom the food storage compartment, a second heat absorbing element forabstracting heat from said ice 4freezing compartment, a fan forcirculating air over said heat absorbing element in the food storagecompartment, said food storage compartment having an opening therein anda heat insulated closure for said openingx said heat absorbing elements,said ice freezing compartmentl and said fan being insertable into andremovable from said cabinet through said opening.

.4. n refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator cabinetembodying a food storage compartment and an ice freezing compartmentdisposed within the food storage compartment, a iirst heat absorbingelement for absorbing heat from the food storage compartment.' a secondheat absorbing element for absorbing heat from the ice freezingcompartment, said food storage compartment having an opening therein anda removable heat insulated closure for closing said opening, said firstheat absorbing element and said ice freezing compartment.

being horizontally aligned with each other and said heat absorbingelements being insertable into and, removable from said cabinet throughsaid opening. l

5. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator cabinetembodying a food storage compartment an ice freezing compartmentdisposed within the food storage compartment, a first heat absorbingelement for absorbing heat from the food storage compartment, a secondvheat absorbing element for absorbing heat from `.the ice freezingcompartment, a fan for circulating air over the heat absorbing elementinsaid food storage compartment, said food storage compartment having anopening therein anda removable heat insulated closure member for closingsaid opening, said first heat absorbing element, said fan and said icefreezing compartment being in alignment with one another and said heat'absorbing elements being insertable into and removable from saidcabinet through said opening. Y

6. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator cabinetembodying a food storage compartment and an ice freezing compartmentdisposed within the food storage compartment, a first heat absorbingelement for absorbing heatfrom the food storage compartment, a

second heat absorbin element for absorbin -perature responsive meansbeing heat from theice freezing compartment, a fan for partment, andsaid heat absorbing elements being insertable into and removable fromsaidv food storage compartment through said opening.

7. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator cabinetembodying a food storage compartment and an ice freezing compartmentdisposed in said'cabinet, a first heat absorbing element for absorbingheat from the food storage compartment, a second heat absorbing elementsupported by said ice freezing compart- -ment for absorbing heattherefrom, a fan for circulating air over the heat absorbing element inthe foodstorage compartment, said food storage compartment having anopening therein and a removable heat insulated plug for closing saidopening, said fan, said iirst heat absorbing eiebment and said icefreezing .compartment being supported by said plug and being insertableinto and removable from said cabinet as a unit through said opening.

8. `In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a. cabinet structurehaving a phirality of vin.- sulating walls fr dening a spacetherebetween, one of said walls having an opening `termed therein, aninsulating closurefor'said opening, an

insulated structure dening a low temperature zone and disposed Withinsaid space, an evaporasecond evaporator disposed in heat ter relationwith theair in said space, and a refrigerant condensing unit exterior ofsaid space and connected with said evaporators by refrigerant conveyingtubes extending through said opening, said second evaporator beingdisposed intermediate the closure and the insulated structure and inalinement with the opening in the cabinet wall, said insulated structureand rst and second-named evaporator being removable from said cabinetstructure throughV said .or ai fr. z without'disconnecting said tubes.

9. In refrigerating apparatus, the comtion of a cabinet structure havinga plurality oi insu.- lating walls for dening a space therebetween, oneof said walls having an opening formed therein, an insulating closurefor said opening, an evaporator for abstracting heat fromsaid space, astructure dening a low temperature zone and including a secondevaporator, said rst-mentioned evaporator and said low temperaturestructure being carried by the closure and removable from the cabinettherewith as a. unit, a. fan for translating air within the sp'ace inheat transfer relation with the first evaporaton'a motor for driving thefan and carried by the closure on the outer side thereof and meansresponsive to the temperature of the air in the space for controilingthe circulation of air by said fan, said temremovable from the cabinetwith said closure.

A es.

-tor disposed within said insulated structure, a

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